2 D.C. men face felony animal cruelty charges

A bull terrier male named McFly celebrates Halloween after he was attacked and left for dead in a wooded area in Southeast D.C., just a few weeks earlier. His neck wound is still visible in this photo. Two men have been charged with trying to maime and kill the dog, who continues to recover. (Courtesy Washington Humane Society)

WASHINGTON – Two D.C. men face a rare charge of felony animal cruelty for attempting to slit the throat of a bull terrier dog that survived what investigators call a brutal attack.

The terrier, named McFly, was found in a wooded area near the 600 block of 46th Place SE by animal welfare officers in early October. McFly had bite wounds over its entire body and three lacerations across the neck, which law enforcement officials said was consistent with attempts to cut the dog’s throat, according to the Washington Human Society, which serves as the animal law enforcement agency in the District.

McFly was in critical condition along with several other dead or dying animals. McFly and the other injured animals were taken to a veterinary hospital where several animals were euthanized.

McFly continues to recover from the wounds and is now thriving under the care of Bull Terrier Rescue of Virginia, according to the humane society.

Investigators eventually received a tip identifying Christopher W. Johnson, 28, and Mark D. Mosley, 28, as the men who maimed McFly. The men lived in an apartment building near where McFly was found, humane society spokeswoman ChristieLyn Diller tells WTOP.

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A bull terrier male named McFly is recovering from bite wounds and three neck lacerations after officers with the Washington Humane Society found him in critical condition in early October. (Courtesy Washington Humane Society)

They were arraigned Tuesday on felony animal cruelty charges in D.C. Superior Court. A preliminary hearing is set for next week.

“What McFly was subjected to and endured was horrific, yet he was determined to survive,” Senior Officer Dan D’Eramo said in a written statement.

“The fact that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is taking this on at a felony level is a testament to the severity of this atrocious act of animal abuse.”

Johnson is being held on a probation violation for a previous animal cruelty charge related to dog fighting. Mosley was released on bond.

Diller says officers are still investigating what happened to the dogs and cats found with McFly and whether they were the victims of dog fighting.

Anyone interested in adopting McFly can find more information at www.btrva.org.